Screws may be commonplace, but that doesn't mean they're simple. A screw is any shaft with a corkscrew groove carved around its surface and, regardless of their design, screws are usually used to ...

If you've ever mistakenly grabbed the Phillips head screwdriver when you needed a flat head, you've probably asked yourself why there are different types of screws. Let's start at the beginning. The ...

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in ...